Dusty Baker on today's lack of trades (Nationals win 14-1)

PHOENIX - Though they had some interest in trying to add another piece or two before today's trade deadline, the Nationals didn't think any potential addition was worth the price of acquisition.

"There's always some tweaking that you'd like to be done, but you have to weigh the costs," manager Dusty Baker said.

While fellow contenders like the Cubs, Indians, Giants and Rangers aggressively gave up prospects to add players for the stretch run, the Nationals' lone trade this week (Felipe Rivero and minor leaguer Taylor Hearn for Mark Melancon) didn't cost the organization any of its top young talent.

"Did we have the players to give up that the Cubs had, or that Cleveland had?" Baker said. "Around this time, the rich get richer, whether you're rich in talent or rich in money. You look at Cleveland, they're rich in talent. You look at the Cubs, they're rich in money and talent. You have to weigh: Do you sacrifice the future for now? Sometimes you do, but we convened and we just couldn't tear up our whole organization for the now. You have to think about the future of the organization, as well as the present."

The Nationals addressed their most glaring need with Melancon, who takes over for Jonathan Papelbon as closer. They could have sought to add another experienced reliever or another bat to a lineup that has been productive but not consistent, but elected not to do that before today's non-waiver deadline.

Baker pointed out the best way his team can get more offense would be for established stars like Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman to start hitting the way they have prior to this season. Harper entered tonight's game batting .235 for the season (just .213 since April 27). Zimmerman entered the day hitting a career-worst .222.

Baker thinks a resurgent final two months from those two sluggers would be the boost his team (which already enters August holding a four-game lead in the National League East) needs.

"I love our position, because this has been for the last couple months without Bryce, and without Zim," the manager said. "(Anthony) Rendon is starting to come along. You figure, we haven't been operating on full cylinders at all this year. So I'm hoping and praying that it happens when we really, really need it."

Update: The Nats don't appear to need any offensive additions tonight. They've blasted Archie Bradley early on in the series opener, scoring four runs in the top of the first and another two in the top of the second. Wilson Ramos, Clint Robinson and Danny Espinosa produced successive two-out RBI singles in the four-run first. Anthony Rendon then roped a two-run double in the top of the second, scoring both Harper (who has reached base twice) and Daniel Murphy (who also has reached twice). Stephen Strasburg did give a run back in the bottom of the first, but he has otherwise been solid, getting through the third on 49 pitches. Nats lead 6-1 heading to the fourth.

Update II: It's a full-fledged rout, folks. The Nats are up 9-1 after six innings. Murphy is 3-for-3 with a double and a walk. Rendon has two hits and three RBIs. Strasburg has three hits. Yes, Strasburg has three hits. That's as many hits as he has given up in six innings. Everything's coming up Nationals tonight.

Update III: It's over, and this one was a true laugher. The Nationals won 14-1, rapping out 19 hits. Strasburg improved to 15-1. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a 1-2-3 seventh. Mark Melancon made his Nats debut up 13 runs and managed to hold it.